EU PREFERS PERSUASION TO SANCTIONS
Panorama.am
17:08 24/07/06
Peter Semneby, EU special representative in South Caucasus held a
joint press conference with Armenian foreign minister Vartan Oskanyan
today. Talking about Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement, Semneby said
EU is not involved in Karabakh conflict settlement but is watchful to
the process and is ready to take steps that will step up mutual trust.
In his words, EU is concerned about any proposal that will suggest
military solution to the conflict. Asked what sanctions will EU impose
on the party which will take up military measures, Semneby advised
to change the word “sanction” to “persuasion”. “We would rather talk
the parties into refraining from such statements because they do not
stem from their own interests,” he said.
The Armenian foreign minister also thinks that Azerbaijan should be
talked into returning to negotiation table and first of all relies
on Mathew Bryza to accomplish that mission.
Oskanyan reiterated Armenian’s disposition to the proposed formula
saying that only Azerbaijan has “problems” with it./Panorama.am/

EU TO WATCH PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN ARMENIA
Panorama.am
17:40 24/07/06
Peter Semneby, EU special represenative in South Caucasus, said at
the Armenian ministry of foreign affairs that EU expects free and
fair elections during 2007 parliamentary elections in Armenia. He
refused to comment what EU actions will be if the elections turn down
their expectations. EU rep reminded about Armenia’s commitments in
this regard. He also would not comment on the last elections and the
constitutional referendum in Armenia, saying that the international
observers have already expressed their opinion. EU rep warned that they
will be watchful to the opinions and recommendations of international
observers saying these recommendations will be part of discussions
with the Armenian leadership./Panorama.am/

Armenians achieve two medals at the European Boxing Championship
ArmRadio.am
24.07.2006 11:40
Hrachya Javakhyan of Vanadzor lost to Alexey Sishchenko from Russia
in the final round of the European Championship held in Plovdiv,
Bulgaria, thus achieving a silver medal. Before that, Hovhannes
Danielyan of Yerevan had lost in the semifinal gaining a bronze medal.
Thus, the Armenian boxers headed by chief trainer Rafael Mehrabyan
achieved one silver and one bronze medals.
David Hayrapeyan representing Russia won the champion’s title in the
48 kg weight category.

Ceremony of first stone laying of Saint Blessed Virgin Church took place in Stepanakert
ArmRadio.am
24.07.2006 14:58
On July 22, a ceremony of laying of the ground stone in the foundation
of the cathedral church of Saint Blessed Virgin took place in
Stepanakert, the capital of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. Catholicos
of All-Armenians Garegin II was invited to Nagorno-Karabakh to
consecrate the construction of the church.
Opening the ceremony, Leader of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian
Apostolic Church Pargev Martirossian emphasized the historical
significance of the construction of the church in the capital of the
independent NKR.
Having consecrated the Church’s foundation, Catholicos of All-Armenians
Garegin II said, “The Saint Armenian Apostolic Church is a brave and
perfect soldier, who has fought for its people, inspired its struggle
for freedom and independent statehood for centuries. In our history our
people sometimes lost wars, thus loosing statehood but never lost its
faith. All the victories in our history were gained with faith. With
this faith the freedom-loving sons of Artsakh gained their right to
live free and independent.”
NKR President Arkady Ghukasyan, National Assembly Chairman Ashot
Ghulyan, government members, respected citizens and guests of the
NKR capital laid sanctified stones in the foundation of the church.

Political Will Essential for Ceasefire Maintenance
PanARMENIAN.Net
24.07.2006 13:38 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The proposal for ceasefire strengthening at the NKR
and Azeri armed forces’ contact line made by the OSCE Minsk Group
was signed by Armenian Defense Minister Sargsyan, commander of the
NK army Babayan and Azeri Defense Minister Mamedov. It came into
force February 6, 1995. “The agreement was not an improvisation. Its
mechanism was item by item discussed with the top officials of the
conflicting sides. The readiness of the parties could be proved by
the fact that the document was signed the same day upon receipt,”
said OSCE MG former Russian Co-chair Vladimir Kazimirov.
Vladimir Kazimirov underscored that the agreement was not a panacea,
but it helped to alleviate the situation and take adequate measures on
the spot. “Nothing but political will was essential for it,” he said.
To note, the proposals on strengthening the ceasefire were sent by
Vladimir Kazimirov to the Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents on
February 3, 1995. The consent of the parties was received February 4,
1995 from the Defense Ministers of all the conflicting sides.

Karabakh Conflict Sides Fail to Fulfill Obligations on Settling Military Incidents
PanARMENIAN.Net
24.07.2006 13:41 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The sides in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict have
undertaken to quickly settle all the incidents at the contact line,
however they fail to fulfill this obligation, OSCE Minsk Group former
Russian Co-chair Vladimir Kazimirov told PanARMENIAN.Net.
“Let’s suppose that the implementation of the agreement has uncovered
its shortcomings, but there should be political will and protection
of lives of the civilians living near the contact line. However the
matter was reduced to holding of selective monitorings which cannot
secure either direct contacts between the sides or supervision of the
contact line. Meanwhile the incidents still claim lives and aggravate
tension and distrust between the sides,” Kazimirov underscored.
The Russian diplomat remarked that Armenian Defense Minister
Serge Sargsyan has publicly announced the readiness to fulfill the
obligations undertaken if the Azeri side acts the same way. Karabakh
joined the position and reiterated it in May 2006, however Baku keeps
silent for years already. “Baku’s negative approach was conditioned
by the unwillingness to maintain immediate contact with the military
of the opposite side, moreover with Nagorno Karabakh a party to the
agreement,” he said.
To note, the proposals on strengthening the ceasefire were sent by
Vladimir Kazimirov to the Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents on
February 3, 1995. The consent of the parties was received February 4,
1995 from the Defense Ministers of all the conflicting sides.

Kocharian and Semneby Discussed Armenia-EU Cooperation
PanARMENIAN.Net
24.07.2006 13:50 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today Armenian President Robert Kocharian met with EU
Special Representative for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby, reported
the RA leader’s press office. The parties discussed the Armenia-EU
relations as well as the Armenia-EU action plan within the European
Neighborhood Policy. Robert Kocharian and Mr Semneby also referred to
the regional developments and the Nagorno Karabakh settlement process.

Fourth Shift of Armenian Peacekeepers Sent to Iraq July 23
PanARMENIAN.Net
24.07.2006 13:59 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The general number of the Armenian peacekeepers,
who took part in “Freedom to Iraq” operation, totaled 182, RA
Defense Minister’s Spokesman, Colonel Seyran Shahsuvaryan stated.
Yesterday the fourth shift of Armenian peacekeepers was sent to
Iraq. It includes 3 staff officers, 2 medical officers, 10 combat
engineers and 31 drivers. The rotation is exercised once in six
months. Col. Shahsuvaryan said the communication officers performed
their mission during a year.
To note, the units of the Armenian Armed Forces have been taking part
in Iraq’s postwar reconstruction since January 25, 2005, reported
Novosti Armenia.

ARMENIA POSTS SLIGHT DECLINE IN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
Armenpress
YEREVAN, JULY 24, ARMENPRESS: The unemployment rate in Armenia fell
slightly in the second quarter of the year to 7.5 percent from 7.7
percent at the start of the year. The highest rate-17.2 percent-
was in the northeastern province of Lori, followed by Syunik in the
south with 16.6 percent and Shirak in the northwest with 15.8 percent.
According to official figures, released by the National Statistical
Committee (Armstat), some 113,000 people were looking for jobs in
the first half of the year. Some 90,000, or almost 80 percent,. were
granted the unemployed status, which means that they were receiving
unemployment benefits and money allowances. Women continue to make
the bulk of all unemployed-71.4 percent- or nearly 65,000. Manual
workers constitute 64 percent of all unemployed. They are followed by
engineers, accountants, hospital nurses and teachers. The highest
demand in the labor market is for skilled programmers, doctors
for regions, translators, insurance agents, brokers, jewelers and
shop-assistants.

REPUBLICAN PARTY CONGRESS ELECTS DEFENSE MINISTER CHAIRMAN OF GOVERNING BOARD
Armenpress
YEREVAN, JULY 24, ARMENPRESS: An extraordinary congress of the
governing Republican Party elected last Saturday defense minister
Serzh Sarkisian chairman of its governing council. This position was
specially created to be given to the influential minister.
Speaking to reporters after his election Serzh Sarkisian explained
his desire to formalize his membership in this party by a long record
of mutual cooperation. He recalled also that he had been elected to
parliament in 2003 elections on this party’s ticket.
“Though the defense minister has become member of a political party,
the armed forces remain non-partisan and therefore my decision is
legally correct,” he said. The extraordinary congress has raised the
number of members of its ruling council from 42 to 70. It now comprises
many parliament and government members, wealthy businessmen. It
also incorporated a series of changes to its statutes. Addressing
the congress, the chairman of the party, prime minister Andranik
Margarian, spoke also about the resolution of the Karabakh conflict,
reiterating that the most recent proposals put forth by the OSCE Minsk
group, calling for the pullout of Armenian troops from some of regions
surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh, deployment of international peacekeeping
contingent and a referendum to decide the final status of Karabakh,
were largely acceptable for Armenia. Margarian, however, added
that these principles were again rejected by Azerbaijan. Margarian
said this conflict must be resolved based on four basic principles:
international acknowledgment of the Nagorno-Karabakh population’s
right to self-determination, Nagorno-Karabakh must have an overland
connection with Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh must never become part of
Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh must have international guarantees of
security of its people and borders. Speaking about other priorities
of the government, the prime minister listed the European integration
and boosting cooperation within CIS. The Republican Party, making
the coalition government together with the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation and the United Labor Party, has more seats in the parliament
than other forces and boasts of some 30,000 members.